Wagering game community environment

ABSTRACT

A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual gaming community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/862,395 filed Oct. 20, 2006.

LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright 2007, WMS Gaming, Inc.

FIELD

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wagering game systems, and more particularly to a wagering game community environment.

BACKGROUND

Wagering game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines depends on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing wagering game machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for wagering game machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play.

SUMMARY

A community server to provide services for a virtual gaming community, the community server comprising: a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines; and a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual gaming community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.

In some embodiments, the community server further comprises a game controller configured to enable the community terminals to interact with wagering games being presented on the wagering game machines.

In some embodiments, the community server further comprises a social networking controller configured to send notifications to the community terminals when members of a virtual gaming community use the wagering game machines.

In some embodiments, the community server further comprises a content management controller configured to receive, from the community terminals, feedback about community content, wherein the feedback indicates how members of a virtual gaming community rate the community content.

In some embodiments, the communications include one or more communications selected from the group consisting of instant messages and emails.

In some embodiments, the community server further comprises a data mining controller configured to track information associated with members of the virtual gaming community, the information being, received from the community terminals and the wagering, game machines.

In some embodiments, the data mining controller is further configured to use the information to customize content for some members of the virtual gaining community.

In some embodiments, a method comprises: receiving player input associated with a wagering game; receiving community information, wherein the community information originates from a virtual gaming community; determining and presenting output based on the community information; and presenting the wagering game.

In some embodiments, the player input is associated with a member of the virtual gaming community, and the community information is associated with another member of the virtual gaming community.

In some embodiments, the community information includes one or more selected from the group consisting of an instant message, a game element for use in the wagering game, notification about a member of the virtual gaming community, and promotional material.

In some embodiments, the output includes an instant message from a member of the online community.

In some embodiments, the output includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a bonus event, promotional material, and a status badge.

In some embodiments, a wagering game machine performs the receiving player input and the presenting the wagering game.

In some embodiments, the community information is received from a community server.

In some embodiments, a machine-readable medium includes instructions that can be executed by a machine, the machine-readable medium including: instructions to determine that a first member of a virtual gaming community is using a wagering game machine; instructions to send a notification to a community terminal that is associated with a second member of the virtual gaming community, wherein the notification indicates that the first member is using the wagering game machine; and instructions to exchange information between the wagering game machine and the community terminal, wherein the information is associated the first and second members.

In some embodiments, the first and second members are part of a social network within the virtual gaming community.

In some embodiments, the instructions further comprise: instructions to store information about wagering games presented on the wagering game machine, wherein the first member participated in the wagering games.

In some embodiments, the instructions are further comprising instructions to enable the first and second community members to participate in a bonus event presented on the wagering game machine.

In some embodiments, the information exchanged between the wagering game machine and the community terminal includes one or more communications selected from the group consisting of instant messages, notifications, and emails.

In some embodiments, the information exchanged between the wagering game machine and the community terminals includes a request from the first member to use game elements acquired by the second member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating dataflow between virtual gaming community members who are online and those who are playing wagering game machines in a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game network in which virtual gaming community members can interact with community members who are in casinos, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a community server, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game machine architecture, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for facilitating interactions between members of a virtual gaming community, where some community members are in casinos and others are online;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for enabling virtual gaming community members to access a virtual gaming community using wagering game machines located in a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for receiving information from a virtual gaming community, where the information is received in a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for transmitting information from a wagering game in a casino to a virtual gaming community, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating relationships between members of the virtual community, according to example embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wagering game machine, according to example embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This description of the embodiments is divided into six sections. The first section provides an introduction to embodiments of the invention, while the second section describes an example operating environment. The third section describes example operations performed by some embodiments and the fourth section describes some additional embodiments in more detail. The fifth section describes wagering game machines in more detail and the sixth section provides some general comments.

Introduction

This section provides an introduction to some embodiments of the invention.

Casino player clubs (“clubs”) are often little more than passive tracking systems geared toward individual players. Many dubs track player activities inside casinos and give incentives based on player habits. For example, player clubs may track players'wagering habits and offer incentives to increase wagering. Because many clubs are limited to such tracking-type programs, they often treat their members like service subscribers, rather than members of a true club. Thus, communications between clubs and players are often superficial and impersonal. For example, clubs often notify players about special promotions and complementary merchandise, but they typically do not facilitate communications between club members. Unlike these passive, impersonal dubs, embodiments of the invention facilitate virtual player communities where community members regularly visit, make friends, and interact with each other. Some embodiments enable community members to establish social networks, provide and rate community content, assume community-related identities, and much more. Some embodiments link virtual gaming community environments to real-world casinos. For example, some embodiments enable community members who are online to 1) watch/monitor wagering games being played in casinos; 2) use promotional items acquired in the virtual gaming community in wagering games at casinos; 3) participate in wagering games being played in casinos; and 4) show their online community status when playing wagering games at casinos. FIG. 1 shows one such embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating dataflow between virtual gaming community members who are online and those who are playing wagering game machines in a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 1, the wagering game network 100 includes a virtual gaming community 102 and a casino 104. The virtual gaming community 102 includes a virtual gaming community server 106 and workstations 108. The virtual gaming community server 106 can include a web site and other facilities through which community members can interact with each other. Community members can use the workstations 108 to access the community server's web site and other facilities. In the casino 104, the wagering game machines 112 are connected to a wagering game server 110. The casino components 112 and 110 are connected with the virtual gaming community components 106 and 108.

As shown, the wagering game machines 112 can exchange community information and/or wagering game information 116 with the community server 106 and workstations 108. As a result, community members who are online (i.e., who are using the workstations 108) can interact with community members who are in the casino 104. For example, online members can monitor wagering games and other activities occurring in the casino 104, participate in wagering games occurring in the casino 104 exchange messages with community members who are in the casino 104, and much more. Although FIG. 1 describes some embodiments, many other features and embodiments are described below.

Operating Environment

This section describes an example operating environment and provides structural aspects of some embodiments. This section will discuss wagering game networks, virtual gaming communities, and wagering game network components.

Wagering Game Networks

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game network in which virtual gaming community members can interact with community members who are in casinos, according to example embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the wagering game network 200 includes casinos 212, a community server 220, and community terminals 218, all connected via a communications network 214.

Each casino 212 includes a local area network 216, which includes a wireless access point 204, wagering game machines 202, and a wagering game server 206. The local area network 216 also includes wireless communication links 2W and wired communication links 208. The wired and wireless communication links can employ any suitable connection technology, such as Bluetooth, 802.11, Ethernet, public switched telephone networks. SONET, etc. The wagering game machines 202 described herein can take any suitable form, such as floor standing models, handheld mobile units, bartop models, workstation-type console models, etc. Further, the wagering game machines 202 can be primarily dedicated for use in conducting wagering games, or can include non-dedicated devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, personal computers, etc.

The wagering game server 206 can serve wagering games and/or other content over the local area network 216. The wagering game server 206 includes a community client 222 that can exchange information between the wagering game server 206, the wagering game machines 202, the community server 220, the community terminals 218, and components of other casinos 212.

The community server 220 can provide a wide range of services to members of virtual gaming communities. In some embodiments, the community server 220 can enable community members who are online to interact with each other and with community members who are in the casinos 212. Virtual gaming communities and their services will be described in greater detail below (see the Virtual gaming communities subsection).

The community terminals 218 enable community members to access virtual gaming communities and other services available from the community server 220 and other network components. The community terminals 218 can be personal computers, workstations, personal digital assistants, or other computing devices. In some embodiments, the community terminals 218 can wirelessly connect to the communications network 214.

In some embodiments, the wagering game network 200 can include other network devices, such as accounting servers, wide area progressive servers, player tracking servers, and/or other devices suitable for use in connection with embodiments of the Mention.

Virtual Gaming Communities

Virtual gaming communities (“communities”) include groups of people who choose to associate and interact with each other via web sites, chat rooms, newsgroups, email, discussion boards or forums, instant messaging, and/or other electronic facilities. Members of a community often share a set of common interests and experience (e.g., an interest in a particular wagering game). According to embodiments, communities offer a rich infrastructure which enables community members to:

-   -   Create Social Networks—When creating social networks, members         can create electronic associations that inform network members         when selected members are: 1) online, 2) performing         activities, 3) reaching milestones, 4) etc.     -   Establish a Reputation—Community members can establish         reputations based on feedback from other community members,         based on accomplishments in the community, based on who is in         their social network, etc.     -   Provide Content—Community members can provide content by         uploading media, designing wagering games, maintaining blogs,         etc.     -   Filter Content—Community members can filter content by rating         content, commenting on content, or otherwise distinguishing         content.     -   Interact with Other Members—Community members can interact via         newsgroups, e-mail, discussion boards, instant messaging, etc.     -   Participate in Community Activities—Community members can         participate in community activities, such as multi-player games,         interactive meetings, discussion groups, real-life meetings,         etc.

Any of the components of the wagering game network 200 can include hardware and machine-readable media including instructions for facilitating the features described herein. For example, the community server 220 and community client 222 can include software for hosting virtual gaming community web sites, facilitating communications between community members, facilitating interactions between members who are online and members who are in casinos, and providing other features.

This section continues by describing some wagering game network components.

Community Servers

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a community server, according to example embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 3, the community server 302 includes a game controller 304, social networking controller 306, communications controller 308, content management controller 310, data mining controller 312, and promotions controller 314. The community server's components can include hardware and/or machine-readable media including instructions that can be executed to perform the operations described herein. The community server's components can communicate with each other via the communication interface 316, which can include a bus, wires, software interfaces, and/or any other suitable interface technology.

The game controller 304 can conduct non-wagering games based on input received from the community terminals 218. The games controller 304 can also facilitate interactions between the community terminals 218 and the wagering game server 206 and/or wagering game machines 202, in some embodiments, the game controller 304 enables online community members to participate in and/or monitor wagering games that are being presented in the casinos 212.

The social networking controller 306 can enable community members to connect with and track each other. For example, the social networking controller 306 can enable community members to select other members to be part of a social network. The networking controller 306 can also enable members of a social network to track what other social network members are doing in a virtual gaming community and a real-world casino. For example, in some embodiments, the networking controller 306 assists in enabling members of a social network to see when network members are playing wagering game machines in a casino, accessing a virtual gaming community web site achieving milestones (e.g., winning large wagers in a casino), etc.

The communications controller 308 can enable community members to communicate with each other. For example, the communications controller 308 can facilitate e-mail, instant messaging boards, and other suitable communication channels, in some embodiments, the communications controller 308 can facilitate delivery of messages between the community terminals 218 and the wagering game machines 202. In some embodiments, the communications controller 308 provides menu-driven messaging options that reduce input (e.g., typing) needed to represent a members thoughts/expression. In some embodiments, the communications controller 308 learns a player's communication style and provides menu-driven messaging options suited to the player's communication style. Additionally, the communication controller 308 can provide a “quick text” interface that streamlines text input.

The content management controller 310 can store and manage content for a virtual gaining community. For example, in some embodiments, the content management controller 310 can host a web site for a virtual gaining community. Additionally, it can enable community members and administrators to add, delete, and/or modify content for virtual gaming communities. For example, the content management controller 310 can enable community members to post media files, member-designed games, commentaries, etc., all for consumption by members of a virtual gaming community.

The data mining controller 312 can track behavior of community members, in some embodiments, the data mining controller 312 tracks how individuals and/or groups use the services and content available in a virtual gaming community. The data mining controller 312 can analyze member behavior and categorize community members as promoters, connectors, or other types. The data mining controller 312 can configure community servers and other components (e.g., the games controller 304) to customize content based on individual and/or group habits.

The promotions controller 314 can manage various promotions offered to members of a virtual gaming community. For example, the promotions controller 314 can distribute promotional material when members achieve certain accomplishments (e.g., scores for online games) in a virtual gaming community. Members may use some of the promotional material when playing wagering games in a casino.

Wagering Game Machines

This section continues with a description of a wagering game machine architecture.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game machine architecture, according to example embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the wagering game machine architecture 400 includes a wagering game machine 406, which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 426 connected to main memory 428. The CPU 426 can include any suitable processor, such as an Intel® Pentium processor, Intel® Core 2 Duo processor, AMD Opteron™ processor, UltraSPARC processor, etc. The main memory 428 includes a wagering game unit 432. In some embodiments, the wagering game unit 432 can present wagering games, such as video poker, video black jack, video slots, video lottery, etc., in whole or pan. In some embodiments, the community information controller 436 exchanges information with community servers, wagering game servers, and other wagering game network components.

The CPU 426 is connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 422, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ outside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 422 is connected to a payout mechanism 408, primary display 410, secondary display 412, value input device 414, player input device 416, information reader 418, and storage unit 430. The player input device 416 can include the value input device 414 to the extent the player input device 416 is used to place wagers. The I/O bus 422 is also connected to an external system interface 424, which is connected to external systems 404 (e.g. wagering game networks).

In one embodiment, the wagering game machine 406 can include additional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in FIG. 4. For example, in one embodiment, the wagering game machine 406 can include multiple external system interfaces 424 and/or multiple CPUs 426. In one embodiment, any of the components can be integrated or subdivided.

Any component of the architecture 400 can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable media including instructions for performing the operations described herein. Machine-readable media includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer, etc.). For example, tangible machine-readable media includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory machines, etc. Machine-readable media also includes any media suitable for transmitting software over a network.

While this section described structural features of some embodiments, the next section describes operations performed by some embodiments of the invention.

Operations

This section describes operations performed by some embodiments of the invention. In the discussion below, the flow diagrams will be described with reference to the block diagrams presented above. In certain embodiments, the operations are performed by executing instructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the operations are performed by hardware and/or other logic e.g., firmware), in some embodiments, the operations are performed in series, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed in parallel.

The section presents FIGS. 5-8. FIGS. 5 and 6 describe operations typically performed by embodiments of a community server, whereas FIGS. 7 and 8 describe operations typically performed by embodiments of a wagering game machine.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for facilitating interactions between members of a virtual gaming community, where some community members are in casinos and others are online. The flow 500 begins at block 502.

At block 502, the community server 220 receives casino information originating at a wagering game machine 202. The casino information can include information associated with wagering games, casino activities, promotional items, community members, etc. The casino information can also include communications from community members playing in the casinos. In some embodiments, the community server 220 can receive casino information from wagering game machines 202 as part of: 1) community members in the casinos 212 sending instant messages, emails, or the like to community members who are not in the casino (e.g., who are online); 2) online community members monitoring/participating-in wagering game activities occurring wholly or partly in a casino; 3) wagering game machines notifying online community members when events occur in the casinos 212; and/or 4) community members in the casinos 212 requesting services from the community server (e.g., community members requesting access to promotional items or game elements that were acquired online.). In other embodiments, the community server 220 can receive casino information from a wagering game server 206. The flow continues at block 504.

At block 504, based on the casino information, the community server 220 transmits communications to a community member. In some embodiments, the community server 220 transmits communications to community members by sending information to the community terminals 218. For example, the community server 220 can deliver e-mail, instant messages, notifications, and other information originating from the casinos 212 to community members who are using the community terminals 218. In some circumstances, there is no need to deliver the casino information to a community member. For example, if the casino information includes a request to use a member's own online game elements in a casino wagering game, the community server 220 could skip block 504. The flow continues at block 506.

At block 506, the community server 220 determines community information associated with the casino information. For example, the community server 220 (e.g., the community server's communications controller 308) can detect that an online community member has sent an instant message responding to the casino information, which included an instant message. Alternatively, the community server 220 may detect a community member's request to use an online game element in a casino wagering game. In response to the detection, the community server 220 determines community information associated with the casino information. The community information can include messages, e-mails, or other communications originating from community members Who are online. Additionally, the community information can include an indication or request determined by the community sever 220. For example, the community information can include an indication that a player can use an online game piece or other online material in casino activities. The flow continues at block 508.

At block 508, the community server 220 transmits the community information to the wagering game machine 202. From block 508, the flow ends.

This section continues with a description of how virtual gaming community members can access a virtual gaming community while at a wagering game machine in a casino.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for enabling virtual gaming community members to access a virtual gaming community using wagering game machines located in a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention. The flow 600 begins at block 602.

At block 602, the community server 220 receives an indication that a virtual gaming community member has accessed a wagering game machine 202. In some embodiments, players can login to virtual gaming communities by entering, user identifiers and authentication information (e.g., passwords, biometric information, etc.) into a graphical user interface on the wagering game machines 202. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine's community information controllers 436 transmits the login information to the community server 220. The flow continues at block 604.

At block 604, the community server's social networking controller 306 determines a community group associated with the virtual gaming community member. For example, the social networking controller 306 determines (e.g., looks up in a table) a set of other virtual gaming community members that have chosen to be associated with the member at the wagering game machine 202. The flow continues at block 606.

At block 606, the community server's social networking controller 306 determines whether other members of the community group are accessing, a community (e.g., using the community terminals 218 or wagering game machines 202). If no other community members are accessing the virtual gaming community, the flow continues at block 610. Otherwise, the flow continues at block 608.

At block 608, the community server's communications controller 308 exchanges information between the virtual gaming community members, where the information is associated with the wagering game machine and the members. For example, the communications controller 308 exchanges instant messages between members in the casino and members at the terminals 218. Alternatively, the communications controller 308 can notify community members when members of their social network are accessing the community via wagering game machines 202 or community terminals 218. The flow continues at block 610.

At block 610, the community server's data mining controller 312 stores information associated with the wagering game machine 202 and the virtual gaming community member. For example, the data mining controller 312 can store information about the virtual gaming community member's communications, wagering habits, wagering game preferences, etc. From block 610, the flow ends.

Thus far, this section has described operations which are typically performed by embodiments of a community server. The section continues with a description of operations typically performed by wagering game machines in a casino. In the following discussion, FIG. 7 will describe operations for receiving, information originating from a virtual gaming community, whereas FIG. 8 will describe operations for transmitting information to a virtual gaming community.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for receiving information from a virtual gaming community, where the information is received in a casino, according to example embodiments of the invention. The flow 700 begins at block 702.

At block 702, the wagering game machine 202 receives player input associated with the wagering game. For example, the wagering game machine receives player input associated with a wagering game. The flow continues at block 704.

At block 704, the wagering game machine 202 receives community information originating from a virtual gaming community. For example, the wagering game machine 202 receives an indication that the player is eligible to use, in the wagering game, game elements acquired online. The community information can include any information from online members (e.g., members using the terminals 218) or the community server 220, such as instant messages, promotional material, notifications (e.g., notifications indicating that members of the player's social network are monitoring the wagering game), etc. The flow continues at block 706.

At block 706, the wagering game machine 202 performs operations based on the community information. For example the wagering game machine 202 allows the player to use game elements acquired online in the wagering game. Alternatively, the wagering game machine 202 can perform other operations based on the community information, such as presenting communications (e.g., instant messages), notifications, promotional material, and/or other suitable output. The flow continues at block 708.

At block 708, the wagering game machine 202 presents the wagering game. For example, the wagering game machine 202 spins the reels for a slots game. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 202 can use the community information when presenting the wagering game. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 202 can tailor the presentation according to the community information. From block 708, the flow ends.

The section continues with a discussion of operations fbr transmitting information to a virtual gaming community.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for transmitting information from a wagering game in a casino to a virtual gaming community, according to example embodiments of the invention. The flow begins at block 802.

At block 802, the wagering game machine 202 receives player input associated with a wagering game. For example, the wagering game machine 202 receives player input indicating that a player wants to spin the reels for a slots game. The flow continues at block 804.

At block 804, the wagering game machine 202 presents the wagering game. The flow continues at block 806.

At block 806, the wagering game machine 202 transmits information associated with the wagering game to a virtual gaming community. For example, the wagering game machine 202 transmits information about the wagering game (e.g., wager amounts, results, etc.) to the community server's data mining controller 312.

In some embodiments, the operation at block 804 is performed before the operation at block 806. For example, the player input may be related to a message (e.g., email or instant message), request, notification, or other communication directed to a virtual gaming community. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 202 can transmit information to the virtual gaming community (e.g., the community server 220 or the terminals 218) before presenting the wagering game. From block 806, the flow ends.

More Example Embodiments

This section describes additional example embodiments of the invention.

Virtual Gaming Communities

Embodiments of the wagering game networks described herein (e.g., see FIG. 2) can offer numerous services and features for virtual gaming communities. In some embodiments, community servers (e.g., game controllers 304) can post “home” versions of casino wagering games. The home versions do no allow players to wager money, but instead allow players to bet online tokens or other virtual commodities. Community servers can also allow virtual gaming community members to design and create their own custom games. In some embodiments, community members can post their custom games for others to play. If a custom game becomes popular, the game designer may receive promotional material, higher status, and/or other recognition for contributing content to the virtual gaming community.

Community servers (e.g., content management controller 310) can host blogs on which virtual gaming community members discuss wagering game strategies, tips, tricks, and other topics of interest to virtual gaming community members. In some embodiments, virtual gaming community members who create blogs, comment on blogs, and or read blogs receive increased community status, promotional material (e.g., virtual game tokens for use with online games), recognition, etc.

As noted above, community servers promotions controllers 314) can reward virtual gaming community members for contributing content to a virtual gaming community. The content can include blogs, ratings, custom games, media files, etc. Additionally, community servers can reward virtual gaming community members for social networking activities, such as building social networks, communicating with members of a social network, recommending members of a social network, etc. In some embodiments, a promotions controller 314 works with a social networking controller 306 and data mining controller 312 to determine rewards for social networking activities.

Interactions Between Virtual Gaming Communities and Casinos

Embodiments of the wagering game networks described herein (e.g., see FIG. 2 can enable virtual gaming community members who are playing in casinos to interact with virtual naming community members who are online. Embodiments of the wagering game networks can support the following interactions:

-   -   Access Notifications—The wagering game network can notify online         community members when a member of their social network is         participating in casino activities, such as wagering games,         community bonus game, etc. Additionally, the wagering game         network can notify online community members when a member of         their social network achieves certain accomplishments, such as         achieving particular game results, winning monetary awards,         winning commodities used in virtual gaming communities, etc. The         wagering game network can also notify community members who are         in a casino that members of their social network are also in the         casino.     -   Community Games—The wagering game network can enable online         community members to participate in activities occurring in the         casinos. For example, the wagering game network can enable         online players to participate in wagering games occurring on a         casino floor. In some embodiments, the online players bet         virtual commodities whereas casino players wager money (i.e.,         credits purchased with money). In other embodiments, the online         players and casino players wager money on and participate in the         wagering games. Also, the wagering game network can enable         online players to join-in community bonus games being conducted         on casino wagering game machines. The bonus games can reward         online winners differently than winners who are in the casinos,         in some embodiments, members of a social networks who are in a         casino can play wagering games together (e.g., as         co-participants, teammates, adversaries, etc.). In some         embodiments the wagering game network enables community members         to share game assets. For example, a community member playing in         a casino can use game assets from members of a social network.         If the community member uses game assets from a social network,         the player may share winnings with social network members.     -   Wagering Game Monitoring—Community members are often interested         in how other community members are performing in wagering games         at casinos. In some embodiments, online community members can         receive real-time media representing wagering games occurring in         casinos. The following scenario illustrates one of many ways         virtual gaming community members can use the wagering game         network's wagering game monitoring features. Bob and Sally are         both members of a virtual gaming community. Sally is going to a         casino to play slots games. Bob gives Sally $100 to wager on his         behalf. In some embodiments, when Bob is online, he can see         whether Sally wins when wagering his $100 in a casino. The         network's wagering game monitoring features can also enable         online community members to bet on (e.g., using virtual         commodities) whether players will win in the casinos. In some         embodiments, online members can monitor casino wagering games         for cheating. If an online member discovers someone cheating in         the casino, the online member can alert casino personnel. If the         casino catches the cheater, the network can award the online         member some benefit, such as promotional material, status         badges, etc.     -   Community Member Communications—The wagering game network can         facilitate direct communications between online community         members and community members playing in casinos. The         communications can include text messaging, voice messaging,         e-mail, etc. In some circumstances, casino players can use the         network's communications features to ask online community         members for advice about wagering games. For example, during a         casino video poker game, a player can ask online members about         wager amounts, strategies, etc.     -   Social Networking—The wagering game network can facilitate         numerous social networking features, in some embodiments,         community members can choose their social networks. However, in         some embodiments, community members must qualify to be part of         certain social networks. For example, to become part of an elite         player's network, community members must win large sums of money         or achieve various milestones (e.g., 10 royal flushes in         casinos). In some embodiments, when community members win money         playing wagering game in casinos, members of their social         networks receive promotional material, virtual commodities,         increased status, or other benefits. Similarly, when community         members receive complimentary benefits resulting from casino         activities, members of their social network also receive         benefits. Social networks often have degrees of separation. For         example, a community member may be related to another community         member through a common friend. The wagering game network can         provide different rewards and features based on the degree of         separation between community members. In some embodiments, the         wagering game network enables community members to filter         content based on their social network. For example, the network         can mark content as having been accessed, approved, rejected, or         otherwise rated by members of a social network or community.     -   Virtual Commodities, Promotions, and Persistent State—As         described above, community members can receive virtual         commodities, promotional material, game elements associated with         casino wagering games, etc. The virtual commodities can include         accoutrements for animated characters and avatars, virtual         currency, game elements for use in online and/or casino games,         online status indicators, etc. Promotional material can include         coupons, vouchers, tickets, and other prizes. The wagering game         network can also maintain persistent state information         associated with casino wagering games. In some embodiments,         advertisers or other sponsors can affect wagering games in         casinos. For example, advertisers can add to wagers made by         community members (in casinos). In some embodiments, community         members can acquire virtual commodities and/or promotions for         online activities, where the virtual commodities and/or         promotions are usable in casino activities, such as wagering         games. Similarly, some embodiments enable community members to         affect their persistent state via online activities. For         example, community members can perform online activities for         which they are awarded game elements (e.g., free spins, access         codes, etc.), status badges, etc. In some embodiments, the         wagering game network enables community members to show online         status badges and/or use online game elements for wagering game         machines in casinos. In some embodiments, winning games online         qualifies community members for wagering games in the casinos.     -   Content Contributions—The wagering game network can enable         community members to contribute content that is accessible in         casinos. For example, community members can contribute media         files (e.g., video, audio, graphics, etc.) that are used in         presenting wagering games in the casinos. In some circumstances,         community members can provide photographs online (e.g. via a         community terminals 218), where the photographs are used in         presenting a bonus event in a casino.     -   Other Features         -   In some embodiments, the wagering game network can enable a             group of community members to put money or other value in a             pot, where the pot is accumulated online. Later, the group             of community members can meet in a casino to compete for the             pot by playing wagering games.         -   In some embodiments, the wagering game network (e.g.,             community server 220) keeps track of community members'             casino activities. After each day (or some other time             period), the network posts a blog article describing each             member's casino activities.         -   In some embodiments, the wagering game network enables             community members to place wagers and determine wagering             game results while online, but does not present the results             until the community members are in casinos.         -   In some embodiments, the wagering game network maintains             and/or provides access to community member financial             accounts. In some embodiments, the wagering game network             enables virtual gaming community members who were online to             send money to community members in casinos. In some             embodiments, while in casinos, community members can access             their financial accounts and/or pay for transactions using             biometric information, such as a fingerprint.

Virtual Gaming Community Web Pages

As described above, a virtual gaming community website would not only provide the gaming community with a single-stop shop for a wealth of information related to casinos, games and events, but also allow for the creation of a community that can organize itself based on any one of a number of preferences including, but not limited to, geographic regions, game type, game theme, game genre, etc.

Using the virtual gaming community website, players with similar interests can communicate, discuss and debate their common passions. The virtual community website can be configured to support multiple forums each designed to further the feeling of community. Casino operators, related purveyors of goods and services, and game manufacturers can each create their own content which can be accessed through the virtual gaming community website.

To entice people to join the virtual gaming community, certain information, such as slot machine actual hold % data, where publicly available, or access to discount coupons and special offers, can be configured to only be made available once a player joins the community. Membership can be configured to be free, provided that the member provide, and maintain, an active e-mail account, minimal demographic information, along with completing a profile survey initially and on an occasional basis.

Player Community Pages

Virtual gaming community player members can be allowed to create and customize their own community web page(s) on the virtual community web site. On this page they can post pictures, videos, bog entries of their gaming experiences, and information on their upcoming trips. The players can post their gaming preferences, casinos, games, etc. The players can post their strategies, rate casinos and games, communicate where they're going to be, chat, and join “game theme” forums (linked to Chat with the developer). The players can maintain a calendar which could include upcoming travel plans.

In some embodiments, members will be able to control who has access to their community web pages. Each member's community web page can also be where the member will go to redeem offers granted directly to them as a result of their redeeming promotions or winning awards for promotions entered.

In some embodiments, the players can include links to game pages, casino pages, or any other pages in comments that they post or blog entries that they post. In some embodiments, the links will automatically be inserted into the comments or blog entries by the virtual gaming community system if the virtual gaming community system determines a link can be inserted.

Casino Community Pages

Casinos can become members of the virtual gaming community and can create and customize their own community web page(s) on the virtual community website. On this page they can post information about events or tournaments occurring at the casino, provide progressive amount updates, provide special promotions, and post payout data (as found in publications like Strictly Slots or Casino Player). In some embodiments, the virtual gaming community website can include links to non-member casinos' websites.

Wagering Game Machine Manufacturer Community Pages

Wagering game machine manufacturers can become members of the virtual gaming community and can create and customize their own community web page(s) on the virtual community website. On such pages, they can post information about their newest games, provide playable web-versions of games, provide input on games or themes, and allow for people to chat with a developer of games.

Service/Goods Provider Community Pages

Service/goods providers can become members of the virtual gaming community and can create and customize their own community web page(s) on the virtual community website. On such pages, they can post information about their goods/services. For example, restaurants can post information about their menus or discounts. Theatres can post information about shows and times or allow people to purchase tickets. Tour groups can post information such as package descriptions, prices and times, or discounts. They can also allow people to purchase tickets. Shopping retailers can post information about special promotions.

Virtual Gaming Community Game/Product Pages

Games or Products can become members of the virtual gaming community and can have their own community web page(s) created and customized for them on the virtual community website. On this page, various things can be posted including, product information such as line counts, coinage, game screen shots, and flash-media teasers. A casino locator can be posted where a person can click on an icon which will list the nearest casino location that has a particular game. In some embodiments, member casinos will get special placement order and treatments. A playable version of a game similar to the real casino game can be posted. Chatting functionality can be provided where the members can chat with the game producer and/or other members. Comment functionality can be provided where people can post their reviews or comments about the game.

Virtual Gaming Community Spatial Matchmaking

One feature that can be offered by a virtual gaming community is the ability to allow players to play games together. In some embodiments the virtual gaming community can provide a way for members to find playing partners that would like to participate in similar experiences, in some embodiments, the players can be in the same casino with players spread out on a single floor. In some embodiments, the players can be across a nationwide network.

The virtual gaming community system can keep track of the location of a player's network of friends in the virtual gaming community. If there is anyone available in their network of friends, the virtual gaming community system can notify each of the players and allow them to play games together. If there are not enough similar/matching friends available, the virtual gaming community system can select other players by using criteria such as friends of friends. Members at this “next level.” would typically be invisible to one another, but the virtual gaming community system could determine which “interested parties” with the closest level of relationship should play together. FIG. 9 helps illustrate this concept.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating relationships between members of the virtual community, according to example embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 9, players 2 and 3 are closer than player 1 (1 relationship more removed) and would only reach further in the tree 900 of potential candidates until enough participants are available to play a game. Players 2, 3, and 4 are not on player 1's friend, list naturally, but would be offered up if player 1 is looking for players with whom to play. Relationships of these players would then be communicated to all parties and “introductions” could be made automatically.

Virtual Gaming Community Slot Tournaments

In some embodiments, several casino operators can form a partnership and can host slot tournaments for enrolled virtual gaming community members. Tournament awards can include prize money, goods, and/or services. In some embodiments, the tournament winner will be the person that earns the most points or hits the most bonus games, etc. during the tournament. Members will be able to see their score along with the score of other tournament participants on the virtual gaming community website.

Advertisers can be solicited to provide tournament prizes—cars, travel, jewelry, etc. in return, the advertiser can get advertising on both the virtual gaming community website.

In some embodiments, tournaments can be week-long events. They can be played on casino wagering game machines and/or in the virtual gaming community. The member with the most number of actual credits won on the real slot machine at one of our member casinos can win. The tournaments can be geographically independent.

Virtual Gaming Community Slot Arcade

The virtual community website can provide a slot arcade in which casual games can be available for play. The casual games can include games with newly developed game themes and games with classic game themes. In some embodiments, members that earn a certain number of points playing these games can be invited to participate in by-invitation slot tournaments played at member casino sites. For example, a virtual community member who earns the right amount of points on a Dirty Harry themed game can be invited to participate in a week-long slot tournament. In some embodiments, the games can be made available for a fee. In some embodiments, the games can be made available for free to members. In some embodiments, the members will be allowed to customize the games by changing symbols or changing background music.

Virtual Gaming Community Promotions

The virtual community website can be configured to use Real Simple Syndication (RSS) to push content to member's email accounts. The content can include information provided by casino operators, offers from casinos or other affiliated businesses, flash media teaser games, etc. In some embodiments, the content can be targeted based on subscriber profile information.

The virtual community website can include banners which can be clicked, by members and they can learn about an offer and decide whether to accept it. In some embodiments, redemption of these offers can be available only at member casinos.

The virtual community website can include click-through advertisements which will pop up. If a person clicks on the click through advertisement, the person can take advantage of special offers, learn about special events, and win prizes.

Virtual Gaming Community On-Line Awards

The virtual gaming community website can directly connect a member to an advertiser's goods or services, in one embodiment, this can be accomplished this by allowing slot machine manufacturers to award “On-line Awards”. An On-line Award can be presented to a player playing on a wagering game machine after they have won a significant pay, a Royal Flush on a video poker game for example. The player can then be presented with a message on the wagering game machine. For example, the wagering game machine's touch screen can ask “Would you like an On-Line Award? Touch Yes or No”. If the player selects yes, a ticket with the virtual gaming community website's web site URI, along with a unique identifier can be printed.

The player can then log onto the virtual gaming community website and type in the unique identifier. The unique identifier can be associated with information for recreating the exact significant payout. For example, the Royal Flush can be recreated as a photograph of the video poker machine on which the player won. The player can then be asked to join the virtual gaming community website where he could customize the award, e-mail to friends, and potentially also be awarded a coupon for gaming value.

Example Wagering Game Machines

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wagering game machine, according to example embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG. 10, a wagering game machine 1000 can be used in gaming establishments, such as casinos. According to embodiments, the wagering game machine 1000 can be any type of wagering game machine and can have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, the wagering game machine 1000 can be an electromechanical wagering game machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it can be an electronic wagering game machine configured to play video casino games, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, etc.

The wagering game machine 1000 comprises a housing 1012 and includes input devices, including value input devices 1018 and a player input device 1024. For output, the wagering game machine 1000 includes a primary display 1014 for displaying information about a basic wagering game. The primary display 1014 can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The wagering game machine 1000 also includes a secondary display 1016 for displaying wagering game events, wagering game outcomes, and/or signage information. While some components of the wagering game machine 1000 are described herein, numerous other elements can exist and can be used in any number or combination to create varying forms of the wagering game machine 1000.

The value input devices 1018 can take any suitable form and can be located on the front of the housing 1012. The value input devices 1018 can receive currency and/or credits inserted by a player. The value input devices 1018 can include coin acceptors for receiving coin currency and bill acceptors for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the value input devices 1018 can include ticket readers or barcode scanners for reading information stored on vouchers, cards, or other tangible portable storage devices. The vouchers or cards can authorize access to central accounts, which can transfer money to the wagering game machine 1000.

The player input device 1024 comprises a plurality of push buttons on a button panel 1026 for operating the wagering game machine 1000. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 1024 can comprise a touch screen 1028 mounted over the primary display 1014 and/or secondary display 1016.

The various components of the wagering game machine WOO can be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing 1012. Alternatively, some of the wagering game machine's components can be located outside of the housing 1012 while being communicatively coupled with the wagering game machine 1000 using any suitable wired or wireless communication technology.

The operation of the basic wagering game can be displayed to the player on the primary display 1014. The primary display 1014 can also display a bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display 1014 can include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, light emitting diodes (LEDs), or any other type of display suitable for use in the wagering game machine 1000. Alternatively, the primary display 1014 can include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome. In FIG. 10, the wagering game machine 1000 is an “upright” version in which the primary display 1014 is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the wagering game machine can be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display 1014 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of the wagering game machine 1000. In yet another embodiment, the wagering game machine 1000 can exhibit any suitable form factor, such as a free standing model, bartop model, mobile handheld model, or workstation console model.

A player begins playing a basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device 1018. The player can initiate play by using the player input device's buttons or touch screen 1028. The basic game can include arranging a plurality of symbols along a payline 1032, which indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes can be randomly selected in response to player input. At least one of the outcomes, which can include any variation or combination of symbols, can trigger a bonus game.

In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 1000 can also include an information reader 1052, which can include a card reader, ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer readable storage medium interface. In some embodiments, the information reader 1052 can be used to award complimentary services, restore game assets, track player habits, etc.

General

In the following detailed description, reference is made to specific examples by way of drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subject matter, and sere to illustrate how the inventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to the example embodiments described herein. Features or limitations of various embodiments described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define these example embodiments. The detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments of the invention, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein are contemplated as failing within the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims. 

1. A community server to provide services for a virtual community, the community server comprising: a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines; and a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.
 2. The community server of claim 1, further comprising: a game controller configured to enable the community terminals to interact with wagering games being presented on the wagering game machines.
 3. The community server of claim 1, further comprising: a social networking controller configured to send notifications to the community terminals when members of a virtual community use the wagering game machines.
 4. The community server of claim 1, further comprising: a content management controller configured to receive, from the community terminals, feedback about community content, wherein the feedback indicates how members of a virtual community rate the community content.
 5. The community server of claim 1, wherein the communications include one or more communications selected from the group consisting of instant messages and emails.
 6. The community server of claim 1, further comprising: a data mining controller configured to track information associated with members of the virtual community, the information being received from the community terminals and the wagering game machines.
 7. The community server of claim 6, the data mining controller further configured to use the information to customize content for some members of the virtual community.
 8. A method comprising: receiving, in a wagering game machine, player input associated with a wagering game; receiving, in the wagering game machine, community information from a virtual community, wherein the community information arises from interaction between members of the virtual community and identifies a game piece available for use in the wagering game; determining and presenting, on the wagering game machine, output including an indication that the game piece is available for use in the wagering game; and presenting, on the wagering game machine, the wagering game.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the player input is associated with one of the members of the virtual community, and wherein the community information is associated with another of the members of the virtual community.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the wagering game machine resides in a casino, and wherein the community information further includes a notification that one of the members is monitoring the wagering game from outside the casino.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the output further includes an instant message from a member of the virtual community.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the output further includes one or more of a bonus event, promotional material, and a status badge indicating status of one of the members of the virtual community.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the community information originates from a community server configured to provide content to the members of the virtual community.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the community information is received from a community server that hosts content accessible to members of the virtual community.
 15. A machine-readable storage device including instructions that can be executed by a machine, the machine-readable storage device including: instructions to determine that a first member of a virtual community is playing a wagering game on a wagering game machine; instructions to send a notification to a community terminal that is associated with a second member of the virtual community, wherein the second member is not playing the wagering game, wherein the notification indicates that the first member is using the wagering game machine, and wherein the first member and the second member are part of a social network in the virtual community; and instructions to exchange information between the wagering game machine and the community terminal, wherein the information is associated the first and second members.
 16. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the wagering game machine resides in a casino, and wherein the community terminal resides outside any casino.
 17. The machine-readable storage device of claim 16 further comprising: instructions to enable the first and second community members to participate in a bonus event presented on the wagering game machine.
 18. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15 further comprising: instructions to store information about the wagering game presented on the wagering game machine.
 19. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the information exchanged between the wagering game machine and the community terminal indicates that the first member can use, in the wagering game on the wagering game machine, a game peace owned by the second member.
 20. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the information exchanged between the wagering game machine and the community terminals includes a request from the first member to use game elements acquired by the second member. 